Free No Place to Hide by Susan Lewis

school’s end-of-term show tonight.
    “It’s tonight?” he exclaimed. “I thought it was tomorrow.”

    “No, tonight, and it’s not at the infants’ school, where we thought, it’s here in the vale. They’re already down there setting up the park.”
    “Aren’t you doing a wedding tea today? How are you going to be in two places at once?”
    “That’s why we have an events manager. I’ll just make sure the tea’s properly under way and the client’s happy, then I’ll leave Vikki in charge and come straight back. I should make it in time. Thank God I did their costumes last week. Now tell me, how did it go with the agent? I’ve been dying to hear.”
    “Well, it was interesting,” Matt responded. “On the one hand he thinks the book’s great, has real potential, but on the other he kept banging on about how hard it is to find a publisher for teenage fiction.”
    “ Teenage fiction, ” Justine cried, aghast. “Is that how he sees it? I think you were with the wrong bloke. It’s sci-fi.”
    “For teens.”
    She frowned. “You’ve never said that before.”
    “Let’s say my eyes have been opened, and not only to genre but to video games.”
    She blinked. “Are you kidding? You mean games based on the book?”
    “That’s right. He reckons we could make a fortune, so he’s going to pair me up with someone who’s into all that stuff. A Japanese guy, living in LA. Apparently he’s got a massive company already, and he only started up three years ago.”
    Seeing Disneyland, Universal, and glorious Pacific surf, she said, “Does that mean we’re going to California? The kids’ll love it.”
    “We all will, but there’s a chance this bloke will be coming here in a couple of weeks for some launch or other. If he does, I could meet him then.”

    Justine was still grinning. “So how do you feel about the change of direction?”
    “Well, I guess I could handle becoming a multimillionaire.”
    Yelping with laughter, she said, “I might fancy you even more if you’re rich.”
    “Bring it on,” he retorted wryly. “Now remind me what’s happening this weekend.”
    “The disco for your nephew’s sixth birthday?”
    “Wesley! He’s six already?”
    Laughing, she said, “You know very well how old he is, and we’ll have to hold the disco in the playroom if it rains, because the party barn is hired out.”
    “No problem. If the weather’s good, we’ll set up down in the park. Is your mother still coming on Saturday?”
    “No, of course not. I had an email earlier saying she hadn’t realized she has a prior commitment. Rob and Maggie should be here by five, they reckon. Francine’s bringing a friend. I said that was fine, there’s plenty of room, and your mother should be here around the same time.”
    “Great. By the way, is Ben still planning to do his piece with Chantal for the show tonight, or has she backed out?”
    “Don’t even suggest it. He’ll never forgive her if she does, but to hear them laughing and giggling when they’re rehearsing I’m pretty sure she’ll go through with it.”
    “Have Cheryl and Brad seen it yet?”
    “A couple of times, I think. It’s a bit heart-stopping, Cheryl said, but if Chantal’s up for it, she sees no reason why she shouldn’t do it.”

    “Is Abby going to join in?”
    “Not as far as I know. She thinks they’re amazing, she says, but she’s determined to do her solo act. Don’t forget you’re in charge of the music. Oh, and I think she’s changed her mind about The Snowman . Wrong time of year. She wants to do the one you’ve been teaching her. She won’t tell me what it is because she wants it to be a surprise. Just keep in mind that she’s not quite six. And I know she’s good at remembering lyrics, but please don’t let there be too many. She’ll feel mortified if she forgets them.”
    “Would I allow that to happen? She’s going to be great. Promise. They both are.”
    “And we’re not biased in any way. OK,